Marriott Unifies Loyalty Programs

Marriott is ushering in a new era for its rewards programs, officially bringing its three separate programs under one umbrella—Marriott Rewards.

The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) are now included under the brand Marriott Rewards using one currency and encompassing the entire loyalty portfolio of 29 brands and more than 6,700 participating hotels in 130 countries and territories.

The new, unified program gives members the ability to seamlessly earn and redeem rewards across the entire portfolio and new tiers give members the chance to earn elite status faster.

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"This is an exciting time for our loyalty members who now have endless inspiration to travel and experience the world to create memories that will last a lifetime," said David Flueck, senior vice president, global loyalty, Marriott International. "We merged the incredible earning and redeeming power of Marriott Rewards with the phenomenal Elite benefits of SPG to create one of the richest travel loyalty programs with the most extraordinary global portfolio of hotels – from overwater bungalows, to mountainside ski resorts, to iconic urban landmarks."

Members can combine their separate programs now at Marriott.com or SPG.com.

According to Marriott, members now earn on average 20 percent more points per dollar spent. Elite status benefits are now recognized consistently at every hotel.

Guests obtain Silver Elite status at just 10 nights annually. Gold Elite status is obtained after 25 nights. Platinum Elite status requires 50 nights, and Platinum Premier Elite status after 75 nights.

Platinum Premier members surpassing 100 nights and $20,000 annual spend will belong to the popular Ambassador program. New Lifetime Elite tiers that will apply across the unified programs and those with Lifetime status will keep their benefits.

Free Night Awards can be redeemed across the portfolio of brands with no blackout dates. Members can save 25,000 points per night by redeeming for future category eight hotels priced in category seven until 2019, including coveted all-suites properties.

Members can keep using either the SPG app or the Marriott Rewards app to book stays and earn rewards.

New, refreshed credit cards are coming, with more benefits across the entire loyalty portfolio.

Loyalty members can also take advantage of experiences in 1,000 global destinations via the Moments platform. Marriott Moments, Marriott Rewards Moments and SPG Moments include destination tours and day trips, members-only events and more.